NCWRC studies proposal for bear hunting in county

Published: Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 4:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 4:52 p.m.

Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say they are considering allowing black bear hunting next year in Davidson County, among other counties in central North Carolina.

Geoff Cantrell, public information officer for the NCWRC, said his agency is studying the possibility of allowing bear hunting in 30 counties in central North Carolina where it's currently prohibited. The NCWRC says the issue is under review because of a growing bear population.

"We want to maintain a healthy bear population," Cantrell said. "The best way to do that is through hunting. Overpopulation would create all kinds of problems. In addition to growth of population, (with) growth of bear population and in addition to growth of (human) population, you are seeing more people with bear encounters."

The wildlife commission, Cantrell said, has recently hosted four regional meetings across the state, where there has been some support for establishing a bear hunting season in counties that don't have one. Davidson County was one county in central North Carolina that had bear sightings in June. Cantrell said there has to be another public hearing on the issue in January before the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Board of Commissioners could decide to implement a bear hunting season in North Carolina. Public input on any rules and regulations is very important and valuable, Cantrell said.

Bear hunting season in the eastern and western counties of the state typically spans from mid-October to late December. Cantrell explained there has never been an unprovoked bear attack in North Carolina and no reported bear attack fatality in the state.

Cantrell reminds residents not to leave any food sources outside of their residences that would attract bears. He said residents also should not make a bear feel cornered or threatened. Cantrell said bears move to find a new territory or habitat, as well as food sources. The public information officer added that bears tend to move along natural corridors, such as river steams and woodlands.

Colleen Olfenbuttel, the state bear and forbearer biologist for the NCWRC, said the proposal for a bear hunting season in Davidson County is based on a 10-year black bear management plan released in 2010. The NCWRC decided it wanted to manage the loose bear population in the Piedmont from surveys conducted with the plan. Olfenbuttel said the Piedmont does not provide much of a habitat for bears because it's very developed and has lots of roadways. She said when bears move into the Piedmont, they face the possibility of encountering roads, therefore causing a public safety issue.

Olfenbuttel said the primary method for managing the bear population is hunting. The biologist said her agency would like to have a bear harvested as opposed to being hit by a vehicle. The NCWRC has high support from the public for regulated bear hunting. She added her agency is continuing to discuss what type of weapons could be used in a bear hunting season in the Piedmont.

"Our agency can't control how many bears are hit on the road," she said. "We can regulate how many can be harvested. We would like to (have) regulated hunting to try to limit the bear population from becoming established in the Piedmont."

Olfenbuttel said there is also a proposal for hunters to pay a $10 bear stamp to hunt bears in addition to the other fees associated with hunting. The money from the bear stamps would go back to managing bears, she said.

Jim Cogdell, chairman of the NCWRC Board of Commissioners, represents District 6, which consists of Davidson County. He and Cantrell say the North Carolina bear population consists of between 18,000 and 20,000 black bears. Cogdell explained state law allows his board to set rules and procedures.

Cogdell, a Norwood resident, said his board will vote Nov. 7 on recommendations it will take for consideration at the January public hearings. A vote on a possible bear hunting season in central North Carolina would then come after the public hearings.

"I have a concern in education for the general public," Cogdell said of the black bear. "Harvesting is the only way you can control it."

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.

<p>Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say they are considering allowing black bear hunting next year in Davidson County, among other counties in central North Carolina.</p><p>Geoff Cantrell, public information officer for the NCWRC, said his agency is studying the possibility of allowing bear hunting in 30 counties in central North Carolina where it's currently prohibited. The NCWRC says the issue is under review because of a growing bear population.</p><p>"We want to maintain a healthy bear population," Cantrell said. "The best way to do that is through hunting. Overpopulation would create all kinds of problems. In addition to growth of population, (with) growth of bear population and in addition to growth of (human) population, you are seeing more people with bear encounters."</p><p>The wildlife commission, Cantrell said, has recently hosted four regional meetings across the state, where there has been some support for establishing a bear hunting season in counties that don't have one. Davidson County was one county in central North Carolina that had bear sightings in June. Cantrell said there has to be another public hearing on the issue in January before the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Board of Commissioners could decide to implement a bear hunting season in North Carolina. Public input on any rules and regulations is very important and valuable, Cantrell said.</p><p>Bear hunting season in the eastern and western counties of the state typically spans from mid-October to late December. Cantrell explained there has never been an unprovoked bear attack in North Carolina and no reported bear attack fatality in the state.</p><p>Cantrell reminds residents not to leave any food sources outside of their residences that would attract bears. He said residents also should not make a bear feel cornered or threatened. Cantrell said bears move to find a new territory or habitat, as well as food sources. The public information officer added that bears tend to move along natural corridors, such as river steams and woodlands. </p><p>Colleen Olfenbuttel, the state bear and forbearer biologist for the NCWRC, said the proposal for a bear hunting season in Davidson County is based on a 10-year black bear management plan released in 2010. The NCWRC decided it wanted to manage the loose bear population in the Piedmont from surveys conducted with the plan. Olfenbuttel said the Piedmont does not provide much of a habitat for bears because it's very developed and has lots of roadways. She said when bears move into the Piedmont, they face the possibility of encountering roads, therefore causing a public safety issue.</p><p>Olfenbuttel said the primary method for managing the bear population is hunting. The biologist said her agency would like to have a bear harvested as opposed to being hit by a vehicle. The NCWRC has high support from the public for regulated bear hunting. She added her agency is continuing to discuss what type of weapons could be used in a bear hunting season in the Piedmont. </p><p>"Our agency can't control how many bears are hit on the road," she said. "We can regulate how many can be harvested. We would like to (have) regulated hunting to try to limit the bear population from becoming established in the Piedmont."</p><p>Olfenbuttel said there is also a proposal for hunters to pay a $10 bear stamp to hunt bears in addition to the other fees associated with hunting. The money from the bear stamps would go back to managing bears, she said.</p><p>Jim Cogdell, chairman of the NCWRC Board of Commissioners, represents District 6, which consists of Davidson County. He and Cantrell say the North Carolina bear population consists of between 18,000 and 20,000 black bears. Cogdell explained state law allows his board to set rules and procedures.</p><p>Cogdell, a Norwood resident, said his board will vote Nov. 7 on recommendations it will take for consideration at the January public hearings. A vote on a possible bear hunting season in central North Carolina would then come after the public hearings.</p><p>"I have a concern in education for the general public," Cogdell said of the black bear. "Harvesting is the only way you can control it."</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.</p>